Quiet periods in business are the perfect opportunities to do a little bit of housework. So many of us have become far too used to getting slightly jittery when the phones stop ringing as much, or our in-boxes seem to be “empty”. Where we need to do the things we seldom have time for, we replace that with running faster, and harder to find the next business lead.
Sure – we can’t sit back and expect it to find us. However, these times, if managed correctly, are the perfect chances to start thinking of new campaigns, do a little clean-up and maybe even a clear-out. Get rid of the old bags, maybe look at new markets that have emerged under your nose without you even seeing it.
We all need to sometimes dust off the dusty shelves, do some admin work, and take a new look at something that you’ve become used to seeing every hour of every day.
We recently had a situation where, as the one project ended, and the next one was due to start, we sat in that roller coaster moment. You know the one. That moment where you travel skywards on the roller coaster and you go up, and you go up, and you go up some more… and at some stage, you see the end of the curve approaching, but you look up to the sky and wait for the drop… and in those split seconds before all consciousness is lost and your stomach sits in your throat, you feel expectant of what lies over the edge.
We took stock of our approaches, and our links. We looked at our website and we looked at other websites. And we made tweaks and changes and introduced new bits and bobs. We did all the things that “we simply don’t have a chance to get to”.
So, in these quieter moments, we encourage you to think about the following:
When was the last time you had a look through your Social Media network, and re-established some contact with some of them – perhaps inviting them for a cup of tea to chat about their business.
When was the last time you scrolled through your website and checked that all your images, articles, posts, pages, menus and links had the correct metatags
When was the last time you sent out a quick survey to some of your customers to see whether your service had improved / grown or gathered their thoughts on your brand and products
When was the last time you took the time to look at the services that worked, and those that didn’t and explored opportunities to grow the ones that needed some nudging?
We don’t always have the time – but next time there’s a slight lull, and you know the next busy wave is approaching, why not take that glorious gem that has presented itself to you – and make the little changes and enhancements, that could turn your business into the next best thing?
We recently completed some work for a customer that involved a lot of content. We love content – have we said so before? 🙂
Anyway, so we were delighted to be able to present the customer with their brand new website, and as any designer / writer / artist  in the creative world would understand, the “hand-over” is probably the most daunting stage in any customer interaction and process. The act of handing something over that has been thoughtfully created and checked, and re-checked, dozens of times, still to this very day, leaves a slight skip in heartbeat and shortness of breath as you expose your creation to the rest of the world, and place yourself at the mercy of critics. (Ok, perhaps a bit melodramatic, but true to the core nonetheless).
We graciously received so many compliments and well wishes from our customer’s followers, business partners and end-customers for which we are really thankful, but there was one compliment in particular, which did tickle our funny-bones.
The compliment, however, requires some context.
My husband has, for the longest time, referred to me as being an active member of the The Grammar Police. I find poor language use, the lack of effort put into writing, poor spelling, incorrect grammar-usage and general language-laziness, really frustrating and I (all too often) find it necessary to correct (whether audibly, or mentally) the offence.
Dnt get mi start on txt spk.
or
I was sat on the ground, when a bee flew into my cool-drink.
or
I was so angry, I could of screamed.
You understand?
You could imagine my secret satisfaction and indulgence when this particular compliment received wasn’t about the beautiful words, the personal touches, the easy-to-read layout and easy-to-navigate website, but rather the fact that I had used punctuation… and used it CORRECTLY (quote).
So, the next time someone asks you for your opinion – think about more than just the obvious – because you never know just how pertinent it could be.
Thank you, Mrs. Customer, for absolutely making our day!
So, working with another company based in the South West, I attended and exhibited at Marketing Week Live 2012. Had the fortunate pleasure of meeting two young guys who have inspired me since I first heard about their story. Ross and Ed started out as most uni students do – with a humungus worry about how they would ever pay their student loan back.
Their story goes like this:
(borrowed from their site www.buymyface.co.uk)
“Picture two financially crippled university students. Having lived like metaphorical kings for the last three years, they are sucker punched by the cruel hard fist of the real world™. Now, scared, desperate and confused, they do what they swore they never would, and begin selling their bodies to anyone willing to pay.
Now, throw some paint into the mix and you get BuyMyFace! For the next year, we (Ross & Ed) are selling advertising space on our faces to pay off our student debt, and demonstrate that, with a bit of creativity and a twinkle in your eye, you can beat the current job climate.
For the next 366 days, our faces are your faces. Buy a day, upload an image (or text), and we’ll display it on our faces for the whole world to see.”
My student loan has been paid off for years. I’m in a profession that I love and that is challenging, day after day. I think I know a lot about stuff, but the moment I heard about these two young guys, I was renewed with excitement at the fact that there simply is, STILL, so much more to try, and to create!
So fancy my amazement when, at Marketing Week Live 2012, Ross and Ed came and had a chat with me about their next adventures. They’re enthusiastic, good, down-to-earth, wholesome lads who just have a need to pay a bit of debt, and have come up with a brilliant way to do it. Only a few more days left of their 366 day target, with just under ÂŁ3k to raise.
I wish you guys all the luck and success!
Read more about what they’re doing, here. or contact them on Twitter at @BuyMyFace.
Turriff-based 1on1imaging hosts open day for business launch.
Turriff, Aberdeenshire: 6 September 2012
From the heart of the Aberdeenshire countryside town of Turriff, 1on1imaging  will be hosting an open day at the Fishery Country Centre on Sunday 23 September 2012, to celebrate the launch of their new business image and website. The 1on1imaging Open Day will aim to showcase some of 1on1imaging’s latest works and services which will not only include a hand-picked selection of portraits and images that have been captured by 1on1imaging, but also a demonstration of some of the more recent photo restoration projects that they have been commissioned to undertake.
As well as providing a gallery of works to view, the 1on1imaging Open Day will also provide an opportunity for visitors, customers and artists to network and hear more about how to become an affiliate or authorised partner of the company. The partnership programme aims to unite artists with prospective customers by providing a service that makes it possible to purchase limited edition artistic works, which have been personally authorised by the artists themselves.
The launch of 1on1imaging’s new business image includes a brand new website which was designed with an aim to be able to provide all of 1on1imaging’s current and prospective customers with up to date and detailed information about the services that 1on1imaging provides. “We were looking for something that not only echoed our business culture, but also provided accurate information about the types of services that are available to our customers. Not only that, our service is personal, detailed, and aimed at getting it right. Our focus is on the end-product and we want to ensure that we provide a service and product that our customers are happy with”, says company owner David Lacy-Hulbert.
The Open Day is free to attend and will run from 10:00 to 16:30, and all are invited.
For more information, please contact Lacy on 07920 747 604 or alternatively, the Fisherie Country Centre on 01261 851 571
More about 1on1imaging, click here.
Renewed vigour. Been working on a project for someone who’s recently launched a new product. And have loved taking things back to the drawing board. I think all too often, we run before we can walk (ugh… I hate that expression) and we think we have the ultimate winning solution, when, in reality, we have only caught a tip of the iceberg.. and what we don’t know, is that the tip that we’re clinging to, is UNDER the water, and we’re doomed to go down!
OK – that’s a bit dreary.
So yes, Fresh Brew has been helping a customer with some serious product analysis and market research and it has been such fun identifying NEW opportunities – where we thought we’d already exhausted them all!
Taking stock is critical. Taking the time to read read read, ask ask ask and listen listen listen, is what product opportunity identification is all about. All to often, we hear what we want to hear. So the past few weeks have been all about asking those open-ended questions – not being scared of who you are talking to about it – whether it’s the lady behind the Travel Money desk at your local store, or whether it’s the Logistics Director of a major equipment hire firm.
They all have something really important to tell you – you just need to be quiet. And listen.